Suns Fans With Game Tickets Can Get Free Light Rail Ride To Arena

Suns, Phoenix Light Rail Create Program For Free Rides For Ticket Holders On Game Day

The Suns and Phoenix's Metro light rail transportation system have created a program that gives customers who buy a ticket to a Suns game or any other event at US Airways Center free transportation on the Metro on the day of the event. The Metro will recognize US Airways Center event tickets as valid light rail fare on the day of the event for four hours prior to the start of the event, through the end of the transit day. The program, which Suns officials said is a first between a public transportation system and an arena, is called the "Rail Ride Event" and will run between October 1 and September 30, 2010. “Suns fans who used light rail to travel to games last year told us that being able to avoid traffic and parking issues, as well as the ease and convenience of the trip, resulted in an experience that enhanced their enjoyment of attending a game,” said Suns President & CEO Rick Welts. “We appreciate the willingness and creativity the leadership at Metro light rail demonstrated in developing this program for all US Airways Center events.” In addition to the 41 Suns regular-season home games, US Airways Center books nearly 200 events per year (John Lombardo, SportsBusiness Journal). Welts said, "We can't find another team and city doing this" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/17).

DETAILS OF PARTNERSHIP: In Phoenix, Sean Holstege reported the Phoenix Area Development Limited Partnership, which owns US Airways Center, will pay Metro $0.31 "for every game or concert ticket scanned at the entrance of the arena." Metro "predicts the agreement will raise $300,000 or $400,000, depending on arena attendance." The one-year contract contains an "opt-out clause, if Metro or the Arena partnership decides the program is not working." Welts and US Airways Center GM Ralph Marchetta said that they expect Metro to carry around 20% of arena visitors (AZCENTRAL.com, 9/16).